The Committee  

The Hearing Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (HAHREC) undertakes the ethical review of human research studies conducted at NAL and Hearing Australia. The HAHREC is a registered committee with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) [EC00109] and operates in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans (2025).

The HAHREC has the authority to: 

  • – grant ethical approval for research proposals 
  • – request modification/s and/or clarification of research proposals 
  • – reject research proposals on ethical grounds 
  • – monitor ethically approved proposals 
  • – approve protocol amendments 
  • – suspend approved protocols 
  • – withdraw ethical approval 
  • – seek expert advice as required. 

HAHREC Terms of Reference and Operating Procedures (Link) 

Joining the HAHREC 

Standing Expression of Interest for Committee Members 
We would like to hear from people who may be interested in joining the committee. We encourage expressions of interest, particularly from people who:  

  • – Are active hearing health professionals 
  • – Have knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care or treatment of people with hearing loss 
  • – Have strong experience leading hearing research with different populations 
  • – Have experience in health research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 
  • – Have lived experience with hearing loss or hearing difficulties even without research or clinical background 
  • – Have experience reviewing health research in previous HRECs. 

Training and support are provided for HAHREC members on an ongoing basis. Interested parties can complete an EOI form here: (Link)